In America, we filter our water. We filter the air that we breathe. We even filter the words that make it to our
ears, thanks to the ten-second delay on live TV. And many of us who have children in our
homes, we filter websites and the Internet for those using technology (and
rightly so).
God’s Word tells us:
Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
If these truths were the filter we let our thoughts pour
through, oh how better off we would be!
God knows our hearts and He knows our minds. He knows how we get tempted and how we fall
short. He knows how sin often begins as
a simple thought. But He reminds us to
be aware of our thoughts and to filter them by His standards. Fears and anxiety tend to melt away when we
stop and focus on what is true and right and pure.
Finally,
brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind,
live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2
Corinthians 13:11)
The old “sticks and stones” saying is rubbish. Words hurt.
Period. What if we took the time
to think through our words before we let them fly from our lips? What if we stopped and prayed and then let
those words be filtered by God’s Holy Spirit?
In many cases, fewer words are better.
For myself, I get into more trouble the more I talk. I’m certainly guilty of not letting my words
be filtered! I say regularly to my
children, “Choose your words wisely. Are
you honoring Christ with your words? Remember that words cut like swords and they
can hurt. And it’s not always just what
you say, but also how you say it.” My
challenge is to be a leader by living this out in front of them. My challenge is to seek God daily, asking Him
to fill me with His words; that they might also permeate my speech. God reminds us that we are to encourage one
another, lift one another up. Sending
those verbal expressions through God’s filter is a great place to start.
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
He died for us so that, whether we are awake
or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore
encourage one another and build each
other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1
Thessalonians 5: 9 -11)
What if we filtered
our lives and guarded our minds
and our hearts, paying more attention to what we fill ourselves with?
And so you’ve read this far and maybe you’re
thinking…..yeah, it sounds nice, but I’m not sure I can get there. I get that.
Because Monday happens and the dog pukes repeatedly behind your bed (and
just out of arms reach), no one is enjoying the meal you just spent two hours
preparing, and your whole family gets quarantined with the FLU. Your thoughts are flying all over the place,
your words are not joyful (and at times ugly and harsh), and quite frankly the
only thing you’re ready to fill yourself with is anything that will help you
escape. Even if only briefly.
Oh, loved one, let God fill you! Pray and ask for guidance. We are not enough. When left to ourselves, we fester with all
kinds of impure, selfish thoughts and words.
Let Him be your filter! Pour
over God’s truths; finding encouragement in the Bible, and ultimately finding
perfect example in Christ. And then
remember that you alone will never be
perfect on this earth, you’re going to stumble and trip and fail; and that’s
OK! Stop and listen. Search and seek. Pause.
And then ask our Heavenly Father
to help remove those tainted areas that rob of His joy and everlasting
peace. Ask His Holy Spirit to help be
the filter needed to separate out the ugly and bring Him the glory and praise
and honor that He rightly deserves (through our thoughts, by our words, and in
our lives). And be reminded we are all a
work in progress, not an overnight fix.
These are ongoing challenges. But
by His grace, you can persevere!
And if you will, please excuse me, while I quietly read
these written words over and over again….as I am most clearly incriminating and
speaking to myself here.
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